By: Deena Nissley

…but that hasn’t stopped more than 50 vineyards in the Santa Monica Mountains from producing delicious bottles of vino.

Malibu Family Wines
The wines featured here represent the bounty of the grapes harvested from the Semler family’s 1,000 acre estate in the SM mountains. There’s often an event here in addition to the standard tasting so whether you’re looking for a movie night or live music, make sure to check the schedule before you go.
31740 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu (818-865-0605)

Sip Malibu
At the Cielo Winebar, grab a seat at one of the shaded hillside tables and enjoy one of four wine flights for between $10 and $15. Some flights are Napa-focused, so if you want to try the local flavor, choose the reds.
2598 Sierra Creek Rd., Agoura (818-865-0440)

Rosenthal Estate Wines
Though the sprawling vineyard is closed to the general public, stop by the tasting room just off the PCH to try the estate’s wines and Surfrider wines for between $12 and $15. If you’re on your way North, make sure to snap up a bottle to prove to your NorCal buddies that SoCal can compete.
26023 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu (310-456-1392)

Cornell Winery and Tasting Room
Despite the name, there isn’t actually a winery here. Instead, they rotate the wineries they feature which gives you a reason to keep coming back. For $15, you’ll get to taste eight different wines while you browse the peacock-inhabited grounds and the gallery.
29975 Mulholland Hwy., Cornell (818-735-3542)

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Ron Viola

Living in our consumer society can be a bit tiresome. Constantly being bombarded with sales pitches and hooky advertisements. When you used to be able to take a peaceful walk down the boulevard to escape the blaring television and radio, now we are being sold to in another capacity – people are unhitching trailers and leaving them around the San Fernando Valley.

They’re unsightly, unwanted and occasionally sleazy. There’s bill out trying to stop this.

For more information, please call the Assembly District Office at: (818) 904-3840

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Provisions Dinner at Sowden House

By: Deena Nissley

The 1926 landmark is now taking reservations for a 5 course feast each paired with wine from the Melrose shop Domaine. Lloyd Wright designed this 6,000 square feet of Old Hollywood glamor on Franklin avenue.This is the same place Scorsese shot parts of The Aviator.

Make your way to Los Feliz and enter through the front, exploring the various nooks and crannies of the place and eventually making your way back to a courtyard that resembles a Mayan ruin (only less ruin-y).

Provisions Dinner at Sowden House
5121 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
official website

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

The Stahl House in Los Angeles

By: Deena Nissley

Case Study House Tour
Saturday, August 28
casestudyhousetour.eventbrite.com

This Saturday’s case study house tour looks at the practical avant-garde home in the pacific palisades, built and lived in by world renowned designer, Charles and Ray Eames. Then you’ll go to The Stahl House, an iconic Hollywood Hills home that basically invented the infinity edge pool. For $100 you’ll be transported between the Eames House and the Stahl house plus receive a little inspiration for your home. The views, however, might be a little hard to replicate.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deena Nissley

Bing Maps is adding a Taxi Fare search. Just like a map search, you can plug in 2 address and find the fare of the taxi. The app determines the cost of the cab by factoring best routes and publicly available rates. The initial cost is displayed and the distance estimated waiting times as well.

Plug in your location and destination — just like on Google Maps — and the app determines how much a cab will cost, by factoring best routes and publicly available rates.

Bing Maps requires Silverlight (another add-on, like Flash), so anyone not on a Mac or PC is SOL.

Other cool selections from the King of Bing Maps include a roadside attraction finder and a gas price list, making for a crucial roadtrip tool.

Here’s an example: bing taxi fare

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Kenny Melcombe

After the Los Angeles Mayor had a bone breaking accident on his bicycle, Villaraigosa begun a campaign to widen streets in our city. The Mayor says that roughly $3.2 million will be set aside for bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the 2011 fiscal year.

The city is also updating its bicycle plan, which envisions 1,633 miles of bike lanes, paths and routes. But the last plan called for 526 miles of bikeways, but so far only 354 miles exist.

Villaraigosa says the city needs to invest in bicycling infrastructure and focus on traffic safety enforcement to make streets safer for cyclists.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Robots that clean

By: Deena Nissley

Quite possibly the best gift for a college student, Roboscooper will lift beer cans, magazines and any other medium weight items. While Roomba scurries around sucking up dirt off your carpet, Roboscooper uses his hands to lift stuff out of the way. The robot runs on six AAA batteries which means it can’t pick up heavy items but it does have an infrared sensor to detect if the object is too big.

Like the Star Wars duo, they’ll be able to work in tandem when Roboscooper lands on Earth (it ships in a few weeks).

Roboscooper
wowwee.com
$70.
Ships at end of month.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Roger Ewing

Recently, Andrea Korchek took a listing on 12230 Iredell St. in Studio city which was once home to the stylish Mary Tyler Moore. Set in Fryman Canyon and located just moments away from the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, this house maintains history, style and grace. Check out the property below:

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deena Nissley

Rage Against the Machine
Rage returns to LA for the first time in more than ten years, raising funds to support protests against Arizona’s immigration law.
Odd coupling: Also on the bill are Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.
Fri 6:30p. Hollywood Palladium, 6125 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood (323-962-7600). $91 and up here. Nearby: Ameoba Records; The Roosevelt; Arclight

Grudge Match: Andre Agassi vs. John McEnroe
Two tennis greats face off as part of the Farmers Classic with proceeds supporting Agassi’s charter school (odds for a McEnroe tantrum are low, but not out of the question).
Special treatment: VIP tix ($65-$1,000) get you closer to the action, and even an on-site cocktail reception.
Sat 7:30p. LA Tennis Center at UCLA. 555 Westwood Plaza, Westwood (310-824-1010). $35-$125 here. Nearby: Echigo; W Hotel; Napa Valley Grille

Happy Hours: Comme Ca’s Hourglass Menu
New Happy Hour menu dishes up poutine, scallops ceviche, pulled pork sliders, and French wines on the cheap.
Cocktails, too: The Vodka Daisy (essentially, a vodka margarita) and the Rye Smash are $9 or less.
Daily 5-7p. Comme Ca, 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood (323-782-1104). Nearby: Urth Cafe; Coco de Mer; Koi

Go Original: The 2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair
This huge craft fair returns with more than 250 different vendors selling everything from handmade clothing to ‘zines to housewares.
You won’t be the only dude: There are plenty of crafty single ladies if you’re looking.
Sat-Sun 11-7p. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., Chinatown. Free. Nearby: PoV Evolving Gallery; Wurstkuche; MOCA

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deena Nissley

Here is a novel idea: travel without the hassle of hustling your baggage. What if your luggage was waiting for you at your next vacation spot?

Here to help is an esteemed wardrobe butler called Garde Robe. Give them a ring and the contents of your closet are no longer confined to your closet. They’ll come to you, take anything you could ever need (wedding tux, winter sweaters, designer werewolf costume) and store them in a high-security loft. When it’s close to trip time, login in to your online closest and check out all your photographed items. Check off the need items and they’ll ship whatever you need to wherever you’re going.

When the trip is over, they’ll make the arrangements for everything to be sent back to storage, cleaned up and ready for next time.

And Garde Robe could come in handy even if you’re not planning any trips—like if you just want to free up some closet space for a few summer wardrobe additions.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.